Wow, that was well written and very interesting! NOT being sarcastic, check it out!

I personally have no problem with kiting, or the vast majority of kiters, who have been almost universally friendly and respectful of the rules. But to oust windsurfing just because kiting is "the new thing" that people are talking about is just wrong, especially when you read that document._________________Spennie the Wind Junkie
www.WindJunkie.net

This is interesting because the company that manufactures the RS:X (JP/NP, whatever they call themselves), also owns kiteboarding brands that could also benefit from the change. I guess if they own the class vessel, it's better than the open competition it seems that the kitesurfers have been given for their olympic class.

This should be about youth sports and introduction of the youth to sailing. You'd have to be crazy to put your 12 year old son on a kite. As it has evolved, kiting isn't as related to sailing as windsurfing is. Another key issue (not related to this) is loss of access to sailing sites due to perceived kiting dangers.

In the 1st decade of windsurfing, there was similar bravado and chest beating that is demonstrated by kiters today. In contrast to your opinion Spennie, I see alot of outrageous behavior by kiters. It is the fringe as usual, but you just don't see much of this in windsurfing any more.

Our sport needs youth participation now. It is our only advantage over kiting. It is our future. We need the olympics.

Screw the Olympics.
Does any sport attract more kids than trick skateboarding?
Is it in the Olympics?
BMX racing IS. But most kids like freestyle biking.
NP/JP/Cabrina can easily produce a Slab copy of course kiteboards that can be adopted as the standard.
Ever sail an RSX? Total pig that won't hold up after 30 practice sessions.
What sport is more popular to young adults and kids than surfing?

Screw the Olympics.
Does any sport attract more kids than trick skateboarding?
Is it in the Olympics?
BMX racing IS. But most kids like freestyle biking.
NP/JP/Cabrina can easily produce a Slab copy of course kiteboards that can be adopted as the standard.
Ever sail an RSX? Total pig that won't hold up after 30 practice sessions.
What sport is more popular to young adults and kids than surfing?

I have never sailed an RSX, how is it? Only one design I've ever used was the techno and I love it

Basically impossible to create ONE board design to fit everywhere and everyone, so why try?
Instead, wind speed should be the criteria. Bring what you want, limit it to 1, 2, or 3 boards, same # of sails, and scramble them.
RSX sails fine. It's too heavy, centerboard well has problems, finbox has problems, track has probems, and it dings easily....for an incredible price of about a Formula board, + custom rig.
Techno 148, or was it 152, was fine. For small riders. About 1998 technology, able to keep up with 1998 course boards.

This is interesting because the company that manufactures the RS:X (JP/NP, whatever they call themselves), also owns kiteboarding brands that could also benefit from the change. I guess if they own the class vessel, it's better than the open competition it seems that the kitesurfers have been given for their olympic class.

BINGO!

this is really more about RS:X (or rather, the money behind the class) trying to protect its commercial interests than about protecting the sport of windsurfing… in fact, windsurfing would be better off if it were represented by an umbrella organization for the sport than by a one-design class that is more intent in playing politics to the detriment of the sport.

in voting for kiting, ISAF gave up on a) very low wind minima; b) 'one design' in favour of a box rule + quiver; and c) pretense of low cost… i see an opportunity here for windsurfing (not RS:X) to get back under the same 'terms' kiting got: possibly a combo quiver of 1 formula board/1 sail for 8-18 knots and 1 slalom board/2 sails for winds >18 knots…

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